Fitness formula

Bodyline: Savage the body civilize the mind by Farokh Dinshaw. Published in 2007 by The Marine Sports, 63A Gokhale Road (North), Dadar, Bombay 400028. Pp: 160. Price: Rs 250.

Sensei Farokh Dinshaw (4th Dan Black Belt) is a well known and respected martial arts and fitness instructor with experience of about three decades and having trained under leading masters in USA, Japan, Europe and Australia. He has authored about a dozen books and sco­res of media articles inter alia in the field of martial arts, adventure and fitness.

In his latest book Bodyline Dinshaw shares his knowledge, experience, research and personal experimentation with ‘total fitness.’ The book is comprehensive and passionately written to be useful for both the physical as well as motivational aspects of training, for novices as well as professional sportsper­sons. "If the mind is stronger you push harder and injuries follow, while if the mind is weaker you give up easily and the body gives in to lethargy,” points out the author.

At the launch of Bodyline (from left): Praveen Amre, Ajit Wadekar, Farokh Dinshaw, V. V. S. Laxman, Nari Contractor and Ashok Mankad

The book has about a dozen focus areas divided into about 25 short incisive chapters and inter alia includes discussion on and dissection of components of fitness, free-hand exercises, weight and circuit training, flexibility, diet, prevention and treatment of injuries, yoga, steroids abuse and longevity and ageing. In the chapter, "Basic Diet for Sportsmen,” where the vital role of water is referred to, we are told the secret of the "fountain of youth: drink water before, during and after an event or practice session. Avoid drinking cold water. Do not gulp, sip instead. And finally, if the water is cold, warm it in your mouth for a few seconds before pushing it down.” The last chapter which contains about three dozen relevant FAQs (frequently asked questions) is both revealing and insightful. The chapters on free exercises, weight training and flexibility are very creatively and effectively written although the word exercise is mis-spelt in the title and sub-titles: We are told here that running on hard surfaces could be damaging while sand running is the safest and most beneficial. "Invest in just one small piece of equipment for your complete fitness program… a pair of humble dumbbells,” the author urges in another chapter. There is also a superb chapter on self-assessed "Fitness Tests” which helps an individual to "know thy self based on the parameters evaluating one’s flexibility, power, strength, endu­rance, agility, speed, balance, coordination.” The book however (and very surprisingly), does not touch upon aerobic endurance training and swimming although it does touch upon hydrotherapy, hot tubs, jacuzzi, chill pool/shower.

The Foreword to the book is written by cricketing legend and ace coach Sandeep Patil in which he is candid enough to admit: "Honestly, I too did not give physical fitness much importance… As a coach I realize the importance of fitness… survival of the toughest, both physically and mentally, is the winning formula.”

All in all, it is a very well-researched and yet compact book with about 40 high-quality color photographs which will help readers discover their maximum physical potential to achieve greater heights in sports and life and, as Dinshaw himself puts it, "To savage the body and civilize the mind!” The book is indeed a "must buy,” and at Rs 250 it is a steal!

Dr Rohinton Mehta